The 28 Best Things to Do in Baton Rouge

👉 Jump to: Best Things | with Kids | Outdoors | Entertainment & Events | Hidden Gems

You probably want to know the things to do in Baton Rouge if you’re traveling to the wonderful state of Louisiana.

You’re in luck- I went to school in Baton Rouge and lived there for years, and I definitely discovered both the obvious things to do and the more secret, off-the-beaten-track activities.

And if you’re wondering where the best place for you to stay is, check out my guide to the best places to stay in Baton Rouge.

28 Best Things to Do in Baton Rouge

The State Capitol

Bask in the legacy of past governor Huey P. Long at the tallest state capitol in the United States.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 902-8880 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free 

The Louisiana State Capitol building is the tallest state capitol in the United States. Since famous ex-governor Huey P. Long was publicly considered responsible for the construction of the Capitol, it’s sometimes thought of as a giant monument to Long.

The actual statue and grave of Long can be found in front of the Capitol steps in the garden.

The Louisiana State Capitol is not only a looker–you can go inside as well. You can also still see the bullet hole left in the wall from when Huey Long was assassinated in the building. You may have to ask Capitol personnel for directions.

Also, there is an observation deck on the 27th floor with views over the city. However, the deck is currently closed for repairs.

And, don’t miss an opportunity to work out “Rocky style” on the steep steps leading up to the Capitol entrance if you’re an athlete.

The Old State Capitol Museum

Gawk at the stunning architecture and learn about many eras of Baton Rouge’s history.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 342-0500 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Fri; 9 am – 3 pm on Sat | Entrance: Free

The Old State Capitol Museum is my all-time favorite museum in Baton Rouge–and it’s completely free! From the stained glass windows to the sweeping grand staircase and domed ceiling, this building is sure to impress every visitor with its magnificent architecture.

The museum has a special 4D film about a Civil War resident named Sarah Morgan. The film is phenomenal and really makes 19th-century Baton Rouge life extremely visceral.

The Old State Capitol Museum has a phenomenal exhibit on Huey P. Long that really tells all sides of his story in an unbiased way. It would be a great learning experience to pair with the new State Capitol and Huey’s grave.

It’s also important to note that a pivotal bus boycott occurred in 1953 during the Civil Rights movement just outside the steps of the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

There is now signage commemorating this significant event as part of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. The Baton Rouge Boycott, though less famous, inspired the well-known Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King. It’s just one of several attractions that makes Baton Rouge one of the best places to visit in Louisiana.

The Capitol Park Museum

Take in new information about art, culture, and the maritime industry in this immersive museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 342-5428 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tue-Sat | Entrance: $10 adults; $8 for kids, seniors, military; Free for kids under 6

The Capitol Park Museum is part of the Louisiana State Museum system and features Louisiana art as well as a number of historical exhibits. There is a large exhibit dedicated to the history of the region’s maritime industry, with a particular focus on riverboats like sternwheelers.

There’s also a fantastic, immersive Mardi Gras exhibit. You can climb aboard a mock Mardi Gras float and watch footage that makes you feel like you’re looking down at a crowd below as you pass by.

As compared to the other museums on this list, the Capitol Park Museum does a fantastic job of capturing the nuance of the area’s cultural scene. Visitors leave feeling much more grounded in the region’s history and culture.

The Old Governor’s Mansion

Learn more about Louisiana history in this opulent mansion.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 342-9778 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon-Fri | Entrance: Free

Constructed in 1930, the Old Governor’s Mansion housed several governors, beginning with Huey P. Long. The mansion is built in the Georgian style and somewhat resembles the White House.

The Old Governor’s Mansion offers tours of the house and admission is free. This is a cool activity to pair with the Old State Capitol to really capture what government life was like in the olden days of Baton Rouge. It is also a popular site for weddings and events.

The USS Kidd Veterans Museum

Hit the deck of this supposedly haunted military museum docked in the Mississippi River.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 342-1942 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm daily | Entrance: $14 adults, $12 military and seniors, $10 kids

The USS Kidd is a historic Fletcher-class destroyer from World War II docked on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Kidd is named after a Navy officer who died on the decks of the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Kidd was selected to serve as the memorial to Louisiana veterans in the 1980s and was towed to Baton Rouge from Philadelphia. Visiting the USS Kidd Veterans Museum is great fun for the whole family.

There’s an indoor museum with details about Louisiana Veterans, life aboard a ship, and model ship displays. You then gain access to the decks and below-deck areas of the Kidd. You’re able to explore the whole ship, scampering up and down radios and peeking your head into berths and cabins.

I think that one of the coolest features of the USS Kidd is that volunteers will tell you more about life aboard a destroyer, and many of these volunteers are veterans themselves. It’s a great learning experience for all ages.

Things to Do with Kids

Baton Rouge Zoo

Visit the wide number of animals or catch the annual Christmas lights display.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 775-3877 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: $10 + tax, adults; $8.50 + tax for seniors; $7 + tax for kids 2 – 12

The Baton Rouge Zoo is a small but robust zoo that is not usually very crowded. I’ve even used the zoo as a place to sneak in an interesting run. 

One of the great things about the Baton Rouge Zoo is its plethora of community events. For example, the zoo decorates with extravagant holiday lights every winter, turning the property into a magical Winter Wonderland. 

The Knock Knock Children’s Museum

An interactive space where the whole family can play and learn.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 388-3090 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 10 am – 6 pm Thu; 1 – 4 pm Sat; 11 am – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: $15

The Knock Knock Children’s Museum is a relative newcomer to the Baton Rouge museum scene. It features 18 different hands-on learning areas with interactive exhibits.

Kids will learn by immersing themselves in exhibits like the Art Garden and Maker Space. They can also blow off some steam by playing in the three-story Storybook Climber playground. There’s a separate crawl playspace for very young children.

Families who would like to ensure their children won’t get bored on vacation should certainly factor in a day or afternoon to explore Knock Knock.

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

See a planetarium and a mummy all in one visit at this cool museum with interactive exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 344-5272 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Wed to Fri; 10 am – 5 pm Sat; 1 pm – 5 pm Sun; Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $16, adults, $13 for kids up to 12 and seniors

One of the great things to do in the city is head to the Louisiana Art and Science Museum downtown. One of the permanent exhibits is the Ancient Egypt Gallery which contains a well-preserved mummy. 

The museum also has a planetarium, movies, interactive exhibits, and a kids’ room. The museum occasionally holds special events like a Dark Side of the Moon light show in the planetarium during after-hours.

Blue Bayou/Dixie Landin’

Escape the heat or catch some thrills at the local water park and amusement park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 753-3333 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Sat-Sun (seasonal) | Entrance: $27, 36” above; senior and 36” and lower, free

Blue Bayou is a waterpark with 20 water attractions including slides and a lazy river. Some of Blue Bayou’s slides hold world records as the biggest in their respective classes. The park also has a 90-foot free-fall slide for those who are really brave.

Dixie Landin’ is the amusement park right next door. It has three major roller coasters and countless other thrill rides.

Outdoors

Louisiana State University Campus

Enjoy Stanford-like architecture on this college campus right in the heart of Baton Rouge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 578-3202 | Website

The Louisiana State University Campus is a beautiful place to kill some time wandering. The campus is built with Stanford-style Mission Revival architecture. The buildings are largely stucco with red roofs, with courtyards full of palms, live oaks, ferns, and fountains. 

Wander long enough and you may find the sculpture garden behind the geology building, the Native American mounds, or the expansive quad in the center of campus. 

University Lakes

Run, walk, bike, or paddle around Baton Rouge’s scenic manmade lakes. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 858-2356 | Website | Entrance: Free

Adjacent to LSU’s campus is the University Lakes, which consists of the “Big Lake” and the “Small Lake.” The small lake is easily accessed by parking at City Park in Baton Rouge, which also has tennis courts, a splash pad, and even a meditation labyrinth.

The small lake eventually connects to the big lake, which winds up into LSU’s “Greek Row” of fraternity and sorority houses.

BREC, Baton Rouge’s public recreational organizer, sometimes holds sunset paddling tours on the lakes. The lakes are popular running, walking, biking, and dog-walking routes in town. 

The Mississippi Levee

Relax on the shores of the river or walk or bike down the Mississippi Levee path.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours, daily | Entrance: Free

From Downtown Baton Rouge, you can easily climb up some steps to the Mississippi River Levee. The levee is a built-up mound of land that helps keep the river within its banks without spilling over during flood periods. In Baton Rouge, the top of the levee includes a bike trail.

If you climb up on the levee near the Art and Science Museum, you will pass the USS Kidd and the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino during a short walk. There are steps leading down the sides of the levee right to the banks of the river, allowing you to get up close and personal with the Mississippi.

The bike trail is extensive and can be used for a long run or bike ride.

LSU Arboretum

Relax amongst nature at this small arboretum that’s perfect for bird watching.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 767-6916 | Website | Hours: Daylight hours, 7 days/week | Entrance: Free

The LSU Hilltop Arboretum is a fourteen-acre preserve that highlights native trees and shrubs. The property is extremely tranquil, featuring a footbridge over a ravine, a meadow, and a cloister of trees known as the “cathedral” because of the way they seem to enclose the visitor in protection. 

The Arboretum is not particularly big, but it would be a great destination for anyone interested in ecology or bird-watching. It also offers a place of respite if you’re just seeking out a free place for some downtime.

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Learn first-hand about the animals and plants that live in Louisiana’s swamps.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 757-8905 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat; 12 – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $3 adults; $2 kids

For those who would like to experience the treacherous beauty of a Louisiana swamp but would like to do so in a safe and controlled manner, I’d like to introduce you to Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.

The Nature Center is owned by BREC (the Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission) and is extremely well-maintained. The trails are mostly boardwalks over swampy land. An indoor nature center usually has local snakes and other creepy crawlies on display. 

While Bluebonnet Swamp is not big enough to explore for an entire day, it’s a safe way to become acquainted with swampy terrain or to take young children or elderly family members. 

Independence Park and Gardens

Spend some time in a free botanic garden and then cool off in the amazing local library.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 928-7860 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Sun-Thu; 8 am – 6 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: Free

Independence Park is a community park near the library with free botanical gardens. The gardens are relatively small, but they’re still a great place to relax or enjoy a picnic.

While you’re there, you can swing into the public Goodwood Main Library, which was recently remodeled and is truly a pride of the city.

Entertainment & Events

Tiger Stadium (Death Valley)

Can you say Geaux Tigers? Experience the energy and exhilaration of an LSU football game!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 578-2184 | Website

Tiger Stadium–home of the Louisiana State University Tigers–is pretty infamous in the sports world and is also known as Death Valley.

If you’re a football fan, catching a Tigers game might be high on your bucket list. But even if you’re not into college football, seeing a game is still an exhilarating experience. The energy of an SEC game is virtually unrivaled.

If you do attend a game, make sure you leave plenty of time to wander and tailgate beforehand. If you’re not going to be in town for football season or can’t catch a game, it’s still worthwhile to explore the front of Tiger Stadium.

There are plenty of interesting commemorative plaques and statues, and it will situate you within close proximity to Mike the Tiger’s habitat.

Live After Five

Enjoy free live concerts in the spring and fall in Downtown Baton Rouge.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 8 pm on Fri, fall and spring | Entrance: Free

Live After Five is a free concert series in Downtown Baton Rouge in the spring and fall when the weather tends to be tolerable. The concerts are held outside on a lawn near the River Center. 

Attending Live After Five is a great way to relax, spread out on a picnic blanket, and listen to local artists play. It’s not uncommon to see kids running around or throwing a ball while parents relax and take in the tunes.

White Light Night/Hot Art, Cool Nights

Take to the streets and the antique shops and art galleries of the Arts District.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: One Fri night every Nov and one Fri night in May

White Light Night in November (and its counterpart event in May, Hot Art, Cool Nights) takes place in the funky arts corridor of Government Street in Mid-City Baton Rouge. Local businesses–especially the eclectic and artsy ones like art galleries and antique shops–stay open later into the evening and night than usual.

Vendors take to the streets, and many of the hosting establishments will serve complimentary wine and snacks to visitors. The events are more geared towards adults but make for a fun, artsy, and buzzy night.

Red Stick Farmers Market

Sample local products and the results of Louisiana’s strong agricultural industry.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 267-5060 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 12 pm Sat | Entrance: Free

The Red Stick Farmers Market is truly a heartwarming slice of local culture. Louisiana has a strong agricultural industry, and farmers come from surrounding towns to sell their veggies, fresh meat, eggs, milk, honey, wine, soap, and other goods.

I could not have gotten by in graduate school without the Red Stick Farmers Market, where I’d bring a twenty dollar bill once a week and then make a stew or a jambalaya that could feed me for a week. I even briefly worked at a pickle stand selling pickles.

Maybe you’d like to cook yourself a local meal one night if you have a hotel with a mini-fridge. Alternatively, the Farmer’s Market is just a great place to observe locals doing local things, make some friends, and try some free samples.

The River Center

See a show at Baton Rouge’s large event space.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 389-3030 | Website

The River Center is one of the largest event and concert spaces in Downtown Baton Rouge. It holds large concerts and events and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s performances. If you’re visiting Louisiana and want to see if any of your favorite artists are playing in the area, the River Center is a hot location to check.

Shaw Center for the Arts

Explore a quirky performance space, an art museum, or a rooftop restaurant overlooking Downtown.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 389-7171 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 10 pm Tue, Wed, Thu; 9 am – 11 pm Fri; 10 am – 11 pm Sat; 11 am – 5 pm Sun; 9 am – 4 pm Mon

The Shaw Center for the Arts is a hip collective space in Downtown Baton Rouge. It contains several separate establishments.

One is the Manship Theater on the first floor. The Manship contains several small event spaces. It has a small movie theater that tends to play niche, arthouse, or foreign films. It also has a small cabaret-like space.

A few floors up is the LSU art museum, which has frequently rotating exhibits. On the roof, you’ll find Tsunami, a Japanese restaurant with an amazing rooftop patio overlooking all of downtown and the Mississippi River. 

L’Auberge Casino and Hotel

Try your luck in a Baton Rouge casino housed in a large riverboat.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 215-7777 | Website 

L’Auberge is a top-service hotel and casino on the banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. The hotel features a rooftop pool, cabanas, and views of the Mississippi River. 

The casino is 74,000 square feet in a riverboat off the levee. The hotel and casino have four dining locations and are known for their excellent food. The restaurants at L’Auberge might be an excellent choice for a couple on a date night.

Need a hotel for your trip? Check out my guide to the best places to stay in Baton Rouge.

Hidden Gems

The LSU Rural Life Museum

Walk expansive trails and boardwalks through the woods and see architecture from days gone by.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 765-2437 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: $12 adults; $11 seniors; $10 kids, military

While the LSU Rural Life Museum is a bit outside both Downtown Baton Rouge and the LSU campus area, it’s certainly worth a visit if you have access to a car.

The property has countless walking trails with labeled plants and informational signs. The museum itself is dedicated to the preservation of deep south working-class life in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The LSU Rural Life Museum is totally immersive, with historical buildings and grounds that you can enter and explore. The museum might be tough for some in the summer heat, but there are also plenty of indoor exhibits to break up the outdoor exposure if needed.

Spanish Town

Explore Baton Rouge’s most funky and artistic neighborhood with beautiful trees and shaded sidewalks.

📍 Google Maps

Spanish Town is a funky little Baton Rouge neighborhood within walking distance of downtown. The neighborhood hub is Capitol Grocery (long called “Spanish Town Market”), which has been operational since 1914.

Spanish Town is worth strolling through because of its beautiful trees, shady sidewalks, and quirky and colorful Creole cottages. There’s also an annual Mardi Gras Parade held in Spanish Town, and it has a reputation for its free-wheeling raunchiness and edgy humor.

Magnolia Mound Plantation

Visit a preserved property built back in 1791 that’s a rare example of vernacular architecture.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 343-4955 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Mon-Sat; 1 pm – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: $12 adults; $9 seniors; $5 kids

Magnolia Mound is a preserved plantation museum located near LSU. It is a 16-acre property that was built in 1791. The property existed through the Colonial Era and Louisiana’s statehood, and it’s a rare example of vernacular architecture.

The property contains the main house, an open-hearth kitchen, slave quarters, and an overseer’s house.

If your family would like to delve deeper into the lives of enslaved people in the region, LSU’s Rural Life Museum has some sobering exhibits on this subject. Furthermore, the Whitney Plantation (about an hour east of Baton Rouge) is the only plantation in the state entirely dedicated to honoring enslaved people.

Happy’s Running Club

Go get a runner’s high on the streets of Baton Rouge and follow it up with a nice, cold beer.

Website | Hours: Tue at 6 pm | Entrance: Free

Here’s a suggestion fine-tuned for my runners reading this post. Happy’s Running Club is the best club running I’ve ever been part of. The routes are varied and interesting (and pass by interesting locations like the Capitol building and the levee). 

The club often draws about 100 participants for a single group run, and the local police will often direct traffic like they would at a road race.

And, best of all, the run begins and ends at O’Hara’s Irish Pub in downtown Baton Rouge. You can cool off afterward with a drink and great company.

Mike the Tiger Habitat

Take a spin around Death Valley and visit LSU’s live tiger mascot.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 578-4823 | Website | Hours: 24 hours daily | Entrance: Free

A very specific enclave of LSU’s campus is the Mike the Tiger habitat located near Tiger Stadium. Mike is LSU’s mascot, and the university has a live tiger on display in a large and opulent habitat. 

Mike is well cared for, with his own team of veterinarians and personnel devoted to his entertainment and stimulation. Visitors come from near and far to watch Mike bask in the sun, swim, or bat his ball around. 

If you’re visiting LSU, it’s well worth a trip down to the stadium to say hello to Mike. 

Teddy’s Juke Joint

Sway to some real-deal jazz at this locally popular music spot.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (225) 658-8029 | Hours: 1 pm – 2 am Fri and Sat; 2 pm – 12 am Sun; 3 pm – 10 pm Mon; 1 pm – 10 pm Tue; 3 pm – 12 am Wed, 1 pm – 12 am Thu | Entrance: Free

A “juke joint” is a slang term for a bar with dancing and music, often operated within the African American community. Teddy’s Juke Joint is the real deal, and it’s been a stalwart of the community for decades.

Teddy’s Juke Joint is technically located right outside Baton Rouge in the city of Zachary, but it’s worth a trip and could be easily combined with the Baton Rouge Zoo. You can catch up-and-coming blues performers at Teddy’s and also order some excellent fried chicken.

If you have extra time, be sure to check out my list of the best day trips to take from Baton Rouge.

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You now know a lot more about the best things to do in Baton Rouge! If you have time on your vacation, make sure to check out these great things to do in New Orleans as well!